A Rejected Wolf and a Court of Ash (Eden and Azriel) novel Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Eden

I come home and find my mother lying on the kitchen floor. The whole house stinks like alcohol and cheap perfume. Makeup litters the table–my makeup–and my heart falls. Why did she have to play makeup artist with my stuff?

Sighing, I step around my mother to grab a glass of water. Tonight’s ceremony means my mother and I have to look decent. I dread the thought of standing in a crowd of werewolves to watch Logan become Alpha, but it will be even worse if my mother shows up drunk.

“Mom,” I nudge her gently with my foot. “You need to get up. The ceremony is tonight.”

She groans, rolling over with bloodshot eyes to stare straight at the ceiling lamp with her legs and arms akimbo. She then winces, groaning, “What ceremony?” while shielding her eyes like a vampire afraid of the sun.

“Logan’s Alpha ceremony. The whole pack has to be there.”

She sits up slowly, her back leaning against the oven. “Right. The Valentine brat becomes Alpha.” A bitter laugh leaves her cracked lips. “As if we needed another reason to bow to that family.”

“You better not speak like that at the ceremony,” I murmur.

My mother makes a “Tssk!” sound and try to stand. She falls, of course, and I have to help her to her unsteady feet. She is taller than me so I have to fight like hell to keep her standing when she sways again.

Adrenaline is racing in my chest as I speak, “We need to leave in an hour.”

She plants her hands on the kitchen counter. “I’m not going.”

She can’t be serious! That would get us both in so much trouble!

“Mom,” I say. “We have to. It’s mandatory!”

There’s another bitter laugh coming out from her lips. “Pfft! They can’t force me to watch that entitled prick take power.”

“They can, actually. And they’ll punish both of us if we don’t show.”

“I don’t wanna go!”

Her whiny tone suggests there’s still alcohol in her system. No bueno.

“I’m sorry, but you have to go. “This is so back–and–forth. I’m speaking to her as if she were a child now. “How about you go and shower, and I find us something to wear?”

“I’m hungry…”

“I can make you a toast.”

She mutters under her breath but doesn’t argue further. I guide her to the bathroom, turning on the shower before retreating to my room.

My closet doesn’t offer many options for ceremonial wear. I settle on a forest green dress that’s a hand–me–down from Elvira’s mother. It’s a bit worn but it will have to do. For my mother, I choose her navy blue dress, which thankfully doesn’t show stains.

After preparing her toast and making sure she eats it, I help my mother get dressed. Her movements are sluggish, and I worry she’ll embarrass us at the ceremony. But what choice do I have other than to bring her? Missing an Alpha ceremony is

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punishable by pack law.

“You look beautiful,” I tell her, though her lipstick is smudged.

“Don’t lie to me,” she slurs. “I look like shit.”

She is right, but I’m not going to pick a fight with her.

I fix her lipstick with my thumb. “Let’s just get through tonight, okay?”

The walk to the ceremonial grounds takes twenty minutes. There’s ice hidden under the snow, and my mother stumbles twice. I have to hold her arm so she doesn’t slide around like Bambi on ice. I thought the night air would sober her somewhat, but it isn’t enough. What’s even worse is that most pack members are already in the clearing when we get there, which means they all stare at us as we arrive.

Since I’m not of high ranking, a lot of pack members look at me like I’m trash, but at least there are a few friendly faces–I smile when I see Elvira and her family, and give her a small wave. She smiles back sympathetically, probably noticing my

mother’s condition.

“Very flashy tonight,” my mother mutters, making me take in the scene.

The whole clearing reminds me of Hawaii with torches pressed down deep in the snow. It casts long shadows over the faces of the pack members. A path has been plowed to the center where a stone altar stands. It’s where the Alpha transfer will take place.

Alpha Marcus is already there, standing tall beside his son. As for Logan… I think he looks different tonight, more imposing than ever. He has always been a big guy, but Logan in a suit and tie is devastating. He looks more like a CEO than an Alpha. Even his usually messy blonde hair has been slicked back, revealing the sharp angles of his face.

“Stand up straight,” my mother hisses, suddenly aware of her surroundings. “Everyone’s watching us, Eden!”

She’s right. Several pack members are glancing our way, some with pity, others with disgust. The Felicity name doesn’t command respect here.

“Eden!” Elvira whispers, appearing at my side. “You made it!”

“Barely,” I mutter, my eyes traveling to my mother, who’s now swaying to music only she can hear. So much for staying serious…

Elvira grimaces. “At least you’re here. Alpha Marcus looks ready to begin.”

Right on cue, the pack falls silent when Marcus raises his hands. Then, when his Alpha voice booms, instinctual shivers race down my spine. My wolf knows she is a submissive, and my heart wrenches with fear because after Logan has become Alpha, his voice will be able to command my respect at will as well.

“Tonight, we witness the passing of power from father to son, as it has been in the Valentine pack for generations.” Alpha Marcus‘ eyes sweep over the gathered wolves. “My son, Logan Valentine, has proven himself worthy of the Alpha title.”

There’s polite applause. I notice Paris standing near the front, beaming with pride now that her boyfriend is about to become powerful. She catches my eye and sneers.

Marcus continues. “The tradition is that all pack members will present themselves to the new Alpha. Once you are standing before him, you must pledge your loyalty and submission.”

My stomach churns. This means kneeling before Logan and acknowledging him as my Alpha. What a revulsing thought. Logan, who has tormented me for years, will now have absolute authority over my life.

“The ceremony will begin with the Alpha’s closest circle, then proceed through the pack ranks,” Marcus announces.

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I whisper to Elvira, “That means we’ll be last.”

“Omegas always are,” she sighs.

Logan’s friends and family go first. They kneel and let Logan see their throats in a gesture of submission. He places his hand on each of their necks, accepting their loyalty. Paris, as his intended future Luna and chosen mate, stands proudly at his side, though she has no official role yet. She is, however, beaming like she is Luna already.

My mother sways on her feet like a person standing on inlines. I grip her arm tighter. “Mom, please try to stand still,” I plead under my breath.

“Don’t tell me what to do,” she barks in a drunken voice, yanking her arm away.

So much for trying to help…

The ceremony continues, and sadly, the process isn’t very fast. I want to go home, especially since my anxiety builds with each passing minute. When it’s finally time for the omegas, Elvira squeezes my hand before stepping forward.

I watch her kneel before Logan, her head bowed. He places his hand on her neck, accepting her submission with a nod. Then it’s my turn.

“Eden Felicity,” someone calls.

All eyes turn to me, which does nothing to help my nerves.

I inhale slowly.

You can do this, Eden. Chin held high and shoulders straight.

Here we go!

I walk forward in my dress, keeping my gaze lowered as I approach Logan since it’s expected of an omega. When I reach the altar, I kneel before him. I’ve imagined this moment so many times and dreaded it each time.

What if he will throw me out of the pack out of spite?

I can feel Logan looking down at me. My heart jumps against my ribcage in an act of rebellion, definitely wanting to run away as badly as I do. And since Logan isn’t saying anything, I bow my head further to expose more of my neck. I wait for his hand, for the brief touch that will seal me as part of his pack.

But his hand doesn’t come.

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